William Boyce’s eight Op. 2 symphonies have been fairly well treated on disc–versions by Pinnock (Archiv), Marriner (Capriccio), Boughton (Nimbus), and Ronald Thomas (CRD) have long satisfied both period- and modern-instrument fans–but it’s been about 10 years since anyone’s had a go at these very fine and enormously appealing exemplars of 18th-century English style, albeit in the manner of Handel’s theatrical works. In fact, casual listeners would be forgiven for believing these relatively short, tuneful, rhythmically buoyant, skillfully scored pieces were from the pen of George Frederic himself. These so-called “symphonies”, three-movement works most of which are cobbled from Boyce’s stage compositions, are so ingratiating and melodically ear-catching that it’s a wonder they aren’t more common to concert programs. And certainly, if you’re looking for a recording that shows these symphonies at their best, this one should be your first choice, as the vibrant sound, clean articulation, apt dynamic contrasts, and lively rhythms combine to make these performances both irresistible and worthy of many repeats. Kevin Mallon’s Aradia Ensemble executes these pieces as well as we can imagine, and the sound places us in an ideal listening perspective. If you like Handel and you don’t know these pieces, don’t hesitate. [5/16/2005]
